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Port of Long Beach Hires Former FedEx Pres as Chief Executive

Port of Long Beach, Long Beach, Calif.
Jon Slangerup, a veteran corporate executive with extensive experience in global logistics and environmental technologies, was named new chief executive. With more than 30 years of corporate leadership experience, Slangerup has served the past two decades as a president, CEO and/or director of both public and private companies, having built businesses ranging from technology startups to a billion-dollar subsidiary of FedEx Corp. During the last seven years with FedEx, Slangerup served as president of FedEx Canada, which he transformed from a small regional domestic courier operation into Canada’s leading international express logistics company. Since FedEx, he has served as a CEO and board director of environmental technology companies, providing leading-edge solutions in marine ballast water treatment, renewable energy and distributed power generation to customers throughout the world.

International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C.
Ashley Burch was promoted to director of political programs, responsible for all of IDFA’s political involvement efforts, including ice cream, milk and cheese PAC, the GrassRoots Action Network for Dairy and Get Out The Vote activities. She also oversees activities for Washington Conference and IDFA’s annual legislative fly-in. She joined IDFA in 2006 as manager of political programs and was promoted in 2009 to assistant director. Heather Soubra was promoted to director of executive office and special projects, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the executive office, managing programming efforts for Dairy Forum, coordinating all speaking engagements for the event and implementing new guidelines that provide an enhanced experience for both speakers and Dairy Forum attendees. Soubra also serves as a liaison with the food industry trade association community, planning events and special projects throughout the year.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS:

Mars, Inc., McLean, Va.
Debra Sandler was named chief health and wellbeing officer. Sandler joined Mars in 2009 as chief consumer officer for Mars Chocolate North America, and was promoted to president in 2012. Prior to joining Mars, she served as worldwide president for McNeil’s Nutritionals, LLC, with Johnson & Johnson. As a result, Tracey Massey will step up into the role Sandler previously held as the acting president, Mars Chocolate, North America.

FOODSERVICE:

Rita's Italian Ice Co., Trevose, Pa.
Franchise sales veteran Eric Taylor was selected as senior vice president and chief development officer, responsible for the expansion of the Rita's global footprint. He has held senior leadership roles in multiple leading restaurant chains such as MetroMedia Restaurant Group (Bennigan's, Steak & Ale, Ponderosa and Bonanza), where he oversaw restaurant brands in over 40 states and 20 countries worldwide. In his most recent restaurant capacity, he was vice president, international franchise development at Sbarro.

Umami Restaurant Group, Los Angeles
The creators of Umami Burger named Paul Clayton as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Over his career, Clayton has led growth for each of his brands by improving year-over-year sales at the store level, launching innovative marketing campaigns and driving strategic expansion plans. Clayton was president of Burger King North America, overseeing more than 8,300 locations, and chief executive officer of Jamba Juice, where he more than doubled the size of the company. Most recently, he was president of Meineke Car Care Centers, where he launched new brand marketing strategies to drive year-over-year growth in its more than 900 locations.

SUPPLIERS:

Point Five Packaging, LLC, Schiller Park, Ill.Jeff Wittstein was named North East regional sales manager, responsible for covering Eastern Canada, including Toronto, Montreal and Quebec as well as Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Wittstein maintains an excellent track record across a multitude of industries, including electrical components, pharmaceuticals and most recently restaurant marketing and promotion.

Dorner Manufacturing, Hartland, Wis.
Chris Elley was appointed regional sales manager, responsible for working with sales channel partners and key accounts to grow the company’s industrial and sanitary conveyor business throughout the mid-Central region, including Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, southern Illinois and western Tennessee. Elley joins Dorner after an 8-year career with Hitachi.

Master-Bilt, New Albany, Miss.
James Watkins was named regional manager for the mid-Atlantic/Southeast sales region. Watkins maintains more than 15 years of experience in the walk-in industry. Also, Brian McMillin was appointed customer service manager. McMillin maintains more than 20 years of experience in customer service. His latest experience was national sales manager for a company assisting OEM customers with tool metal spinnings and hydrofoam component products.

Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU), Columbus, Ind.
Michael Heyden will serve as national field manager, parts and service, responsible for the oversight and management of TMHU’s technical parts and service managers. Heyden brings more than 25 years of experience in field service management and parts product marketing, most recently serving as director of parts for Navistar Defense Parts. Chris Olsen takes on the role of national sales manager-national accounts, bringing more than 14 years of experience in all aspects of capital equipment sales and responsible for helping drive initiatives for new revenue opportunities. Most recently, he served as sales manager for The Raymond Corp. Lastly, Steve Tadd joins as national marketing manager, responsible for overseeing TMHU’s nationwide marketing and advertising efforts and supporting the Toyota brand. He is also responsible for the brand’s marketing materials, digital presence, advertising, public relations and dealer communications. Tadd comes from Nautic Global Group, where he served as director of marketing.

Baltimore Aircoil Co., Jessup, Md.
Don Fetzer was named president, effective July 1. Fetzer joined the company in 2011 as managing director – BAC Europe. Prior to joining BAC, he was vice president and controller of Armstrong World Industries; vice president and CFO of Triangle Pacific Co.; and has held a number of senior positions with Harley-Davidson Motor Co.